text: 3 years & up. Blunt, safe blades cut only paper and blunt tips provide added safety in the hands of children. Training lever opens the blades after each cut to safety teach preschoolers how to open and close scissors. Once the child has mastered opening and closing the blades, the training lever can be flipped up for traditional cutting action. The large finger loops offer control and comfort no matter how children hold the scissors. Antimicrobial handle protection inhibits growth of bacterial odors and helps prevent product deterioration. Colors will vary.


text:
This article is more than 1 year old
Toshiba turns 90° to boost 0.85in HDDs to 10GB
And finally ships late, non-perpendicular 4GB version
CES Toshiba today said it has finally begun shipping its long-awaited 4GB, 3600rpm 0.85in micro hard disk drives. The company also pledged to boost the drives' capacity to 10GB courtesy of perpendicular recording techniques.
That said, consumer electronics companies looking to use the drives in their products will have to wait until 2007 to take delivery of such "high-capacity" 0.85in units, Toshiba admitted when it announced the products at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas today.
This longer-term schedule may reflect the experience Toshiba has had getting the 4GB model out of the door. The product was to have shipped mid-2005 - or so the company said when it announced the product at CES in January 2005. Then, Toshiba was also touting 6GB and 8GB drives in 2006. There was no mention of these capacities today.
Separately, Toshiba has also begun shipping an 80GB 1.8in drive, a dual-platter product derived from the 40GB drive it launched in August 2005. Like the 40GB unit, the new MK8007GAH HDD uses perpendicular recording to boost the platter's data-storage density to 206Mb per square millimetre or 133Gb per square inch.
By comparison, the 10GB 0.85in drive will score a data density of 200Gb per square inch, Toshiba claimed. ®

subset: commoncrawl


text:
My little ladies man...part 2
If you need a refresher on "My little ladies man...part 1" click here.Something tells me there are going to be a lot of broken hearted girls in Ethan's wake. I'm going to go ahead and apologize now on his behalf. And also for my husband who encourages said behavior with his "that's my boy" remarks after things like what I'm about to describe.
This weekend we decided to have a family day full of firsts. We took the boys bowling - because nothing says holiday cheer like the sweet, musty haze of a bowling alley. They were a little wild in this new territory, but did pretty well thanks to all of the contraptions available to ensure kids can gettheballdownthelanefortheloveofpete. The combination of the bumper guards (to eliminate the chance of gutter balls) and a large metal ramp (to give the ball some initial power) allowed the boys to do just that. Even if it did take almost a minute for it to spin down and make contact with a pin. It was the longest single game of bowling I've ever participated in. And I wouldn't have changed that for the world!
After a quick pit-stop at McDonald's to refuel, we headed next to the local indoor ice-skating rink. Let me tell you ladies and gentlemen, I could not have been more proud of my two boys that day. Aiden has never been one to take risks. He usually likes to sit back and watch his brother be the one to crash and burn or get in trouble. However lately we have been seeing an entirely new side of him. Mr. Independent has emerged. It was a struggle to squeeze his feet into the skates but we were shocked that he even let us do that. We definitely weren't expecting him to make it out onto the ice. But lo and behold, he actually skated! I did bear most of his weight holding him up under his armpits (for which my lower back is reminding me today) but still this occassion was one that we will always remember!
And Ethan - oh my sweet little ladies man. Aiden and I were taking a breather on the sidelines when I looked up to see Ricky skating by himself, not hand-in-hand with Ethan as he had been a few moments earlier. It wouldn't have surprised me at all to find that Ethan was skating triple toe loops in the center of the rink, but that wasn't what was going on. Instead, he was sandwiched between two 10-year-old girls holding each of their hands and grinning ear to ear. They continued for 15 minutes or so, then followed him off the rink to where we were standing with Aiden. We talked to them for a bit then decided it was time to go so we left to turn in our skates. When we turned around, the girls, Hannah and Breezy, had come out to keep them company for a little while longer. Both Ethan and Aiden were eating it up!
In the car, Ethan announced "Mommy, I'm going to marry RoryCate, Tara [see the Snow Day post], Lucy [from Charlie Brown] and Hannah...but I sure hope I can make it to all of the weddings!"
Ethan and Rory Cate, our friends' from Dallas little girl |
Ethan ice skating with Hannah (in pink hat) and Breezy |
Ethan and Lucy :) |
Subscribe to:
Post Comments


text:
Look, Rob Ryan knows he's no male model.
That would be his son, Joseph, who works for the Campbell Agency in Dallas.
The Cowboys defensive coordinator knows he let himself go. He's not the same, slender athlete he was back at Southwestern Oklahoma State.
"Yeah, I'm fat," Ryan says.
The words leave his mouth as easily as the double-meat hamburgers with extra cheese and jalapenos that once slid in.
Ryan is 55 pounds lighter today because of lap-band surgery. He tips the scales at 265 and vows to drop at least another 50 pounds to earn bragging rights over his twin brother, Rex, the New York Jets coach who also continues to lose weight with this procedure.
Rob did this for his health. He did it for his wife, Kristin, and his family.
He did it because the demands of his job make it difficult to imagine he could lose the weight on his own with diet and exercise.
Ryan is not alone in this struggle. Studies show that nearly two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese.
"Hey, everybody knows what you're supposed to do," Ryan says. "Sometimes you just don't want to do that.
"I think this helps you do it. Honestly, it gets your mind right. It gets you in a place where you feel, maybe, 'I don't need that', instead of just eating all the time for no reason.
"I think you just feel a hell of a lot better. I'm glad I did it."
Junk food junkie
It's September 2011, and Ryan is in his first season with the Cowboys. Assistant coaches arrive early and leave late — after almost everyone else in the building. It's that way in the NFL. Ryan likes to say he's no rocket scientist, "but I probably work more hours than they do."
Ryan departs the team's Valley Ranch facility around midnight or 1 a.m. But he doesn't go straight to his home in Southlake. He stops by Whataburger or Burger King to pick up the biggest burgers they have.
Two of them.
Sometimes he'll skip the burger and go for a pizza.
"I can eat an entire pizza, easy," says Ryan, whose van is littered with pizza boxes the day he arrives at Valley Ranch after the drive from Cleveland. "Not in an eating contest. I can just do it.
"I can eat anything, except that white one." Ryan is not a fan of pizza bianca.
But he loves candy. On the way to work one Monday morning, he finds an extra $70 in his pocket.
He pulls over and decides to spend it all on candy. Chocolate. Peanut butter. Skittles. "An underappreciated candy right there," Ryan says.
He throws the bounty in a bowl on his desk and it's gone before the week ends.
"I don't think I overeat on the meal itself," Ryan says. "It's all the junk food, the extra eating. It never stops.
"If you go out to dinner with me, you'll think I'm a normal guy. But I never stop."
Food has always been a reward or a way to relieve stress. But he wasn't always big.
When he went to Southwestern Oklahoma to play baseball and wound up on the football team, he weighed 175 pounds.
He put on 20 pounds of muscle and it still wasn't enough.
"I was a skinny guy," Ryan recalls. "I can remember weighing in when I was a freshman and sophomore in college and saying, 'Damn, I wish I was heavier.'
"Well, you've got to be careful what you wish for."
Long hours on the job
Kristin Ralph meets Rob Ryan on a flight in the mid 1990s.
She quickly recognizes his poor eating habits as the two begin to date. Given the choice between a green bean casserole and grilled asparagus. …
Well, there is no choice.
Rob loves his burgers and pizza. He loves Mexican food. Shortly after they tie the knot, he tells Kristin, "I never had a salad until I married you."
He keeps the weight off early in their marriage because he runs three miles a day with the baby and dog. But as he climbs the coaching ladder, as the time he pours into his job increases, the pounds began to accumulate like so many empty candy wrappers and pizza boxes.
About six years into their 17-year marriage, he begins to put on weight. He finds himself with less time to workout. Diets don't stick.
"Out of nowhere it was like man, I got big," Ryan says.
The 175-pound college freshman is threatening to double his weight.
Rex has always been bigger than Rob. Not any more. Once Rex gets his lap-band in March of 2010 he begins to hound his brother to do the same. Rex's doctor recommends Dr. Adam Smith at Fort Worth Lap-Band, and the Jets coach passes the information along to his brother.
Rob finally relents. He meets with Smith in the spring of 2011 shortly after he joins the Cowboys and goes on a liquid diet to prep for the procedure. He gets all the way to the altar, then gets cold feet the night before the surgery and backs out.
"I was like, 'Nah, I'm not going to do it,'" Ryan says. "I can lose it when I want."
Turning point
Rob Ryan has never been self-conscious. He's secure in who he is and what he's about. That's one of many reasons Kristin loves him.
"He will still take off his shirt and strut on the beach at 320 pounds like he did when he was 220 pounds," Kristin says. "I'll say, 'Do you want to put your shirt on, honey?' and he'll say, 'No, I'm fine.'
"He's always been like that. No shame. That's how I am."
It's now January of this year.
Ryan is not nervous or anxious by nature. But in recent months the 49-year-old has caught himself rushing to breathe. It's a strange sensation.
There have been too many nights that he lies awake in bed and watches the clock crawl from 4:10 to 4:20 to 4:30. He can't sleep.
Once he does get out of bed, he struggles to put on his socks and tie his shoes.
"It's crazy," Ryan says. "I was an athlete at one time.
"It's as embarrassing as hell, but it's the truth."
Ryan is up to 322 pounds. He knows he's too heavy. He and Kristin talk about how it's hypocritical for him to push his players to be in better shape when he's so overweight.
Kristin has been on Rob about his weight for some time. It's become a daily affair. She knows she doesn't have the right words, she knows she comes across as pestering him, but she's worried.
One night, after a nice, healthy meal of grilled chicken and vegetables at home, Rob and Kristin are sitting in bed, talking. He gets up about 9 o'clock to pour himself a big bowl of cereal.
"It's Cocoa Pebbles or Cap'n Crunch," Kristin says. "I don't remember."
What Kristin does remember is walking into the family room and confronting her husband.
"I'm not going to watch you do this anymore," Kristin tells him. "I'm not going to leave you. I love you. But I'm not going to sit here and watch you do this to yourself.
"I can't."
It was a turning point.
Ryan again meets with Smith. This time, he goes through with the surgery in February that wraps an inflatable silicon ring around the upper part of the stomach to limit food intake.
"The fact is, diets just don't work," Ryan says. "They don't. You can lose 20 pounds, then you put on 25.
"The most disciplined people in the world lose all that weight, then they come back and gain it again. Why does it happen? … I don't know, it just happens.
"I'm no expert there."
Cravings gone
Early one morning, after countless hours of preparation for the Cowboys' opener against the New York Giants, Ryan drives by a Whataburger on his way home.
"Probably my favorite one there," Ryan says of the chain.
He doesn't pull over. He's really not tempted.
Ryan finds he no longer craves the burgers and pizza he couldn't do without a few months earlier. He doesn't miss the bread. If there's a pizza in the Cowboys coaching offices, he'll pick off the toppings.
He eats more chicken and vegetables. He eats smaller portions.
"The two biggest things I used to love, I don't even miss," Ryan says. "I was living to eat. Now, I'm eating to live. That's what they tell you and … it ends up happening.
"I feel way better. I don't have the anxiety I used to have. I feel better when I wake up. I actually sleep now.
"It's been good for me. I feel good. More energetic."
Ryan came to the Cowboys because he wants everyone to know how good he is as a defensive coordinator. If that leads to a head coaching job in the NFL some day, great.
He knows some owners might be hesitant to consider him because of his size and how he looks. But all he needs is one.
"Rex is no beauty either," Rob says. "We're from the same gene pool, but he got a chance and has done a great job."
There is no envy here. Rob is proud of his brother and thankful Rex pushed him to have the procedure. Rex, now a paid spokesman for lap-band surgery, is proud his brother has taken this step.
"I know fans out there are going to say it's a deck chair on the Titanic right now, the 55 pounds he's lost, but that's fantastic," Rex says. "His goal is to lose one more pound than me.
"Hey, I've got to salute you. I think when it gets close, maybe if he gets a normal haircut, maybe that will put him over the top. I'd be for it. I think everybody would be for it.
"But anyway, I'm happy for him."
Kristin calls her husband the biggest, most selfless guy in the world. He constantly puts others ahead of himself and looks to help them, often at his expense.
She's glad he has finally put himself first with this surgery.
"After a couple of more seasons, it will be a habit with his eating," Kristin says. "It will get easier."
It's already gotten better.
Squash instead of Skittles? This is a different Rob Ryan.
"It was out of control," he says. "Like I say, I've lost two Voit basketballs and I've got a couple of more in there to go. I needed the surgery. Let's put it that way.
"It's been a great thing for me."


text:
• grit •
Pronunciation: grit • Hear it!
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: 1. Small coarse granules, as of sand. 2. In the plural (grits): sand-like granules of ground corn used in a delicious side-dish in the southern US and wherever fine cuisine is appreciated. 3. Pluck, spirit, spunk, moxie, gutsiness, gumption.
Notes: Today's Good Word is a rarity: an English word spelled exactly as it is pronounced. Enjoy! The plural of today's word refers to a characteristic dish of the Southeastern US, hulled dried corn ground into small grits, or hominy (a corruption of Virginia Algonquian appuminneonash "something ground"). Grits are boiled in water and seasoned with butter or ham gravy. They go well with shrimp creole, too.
In Play: Rooster Cogburn in Charles Portis's novel True Grit is the quintessential US character with grit in the third sense of today's Good Word. John Wayne won an academy award for his interpretation of that character on screen in 1969. The association may have come from the grit in a bird's gizzard, which is essential for its digestion. Anyway, "It takes real grit to eat a helping of Aunt Lola's grits with red-eye gravy (from salt-cured ham) and ask for a second helping."
Word History: Today's word is a distant cousin of groats, grounds, and grist, all from the verb grind or its ancestors. The original Indo-European root was *ghre(n)dh- "to grind" with a Fickle N, an N that came and went for no apparent reason. In initial position, [gh] became [f] in Latin, so its verb for "grind" was frendere. Greek khondros "granule, groats" may share the same source. For sure Lithuanian gruzti "to crush, pound" and Latvian grauds "grain" come from the same source, as does Russian skrezhetat' "to grind (the teeth)". The verb, to grit (your teeth)" still means "to grind or grate". (Prudence Pender gave us a lot of grist to grind in our word mill when she suggested today's granular Good Word.)
P.S. - Register for the Daily Good Word E-Mail! - You can get our daily Good Word sent directly to you via e-mail in either HTML or Text format. Go to our Registration Page to sign up today!


text:
The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will be partnering with global specialty chemicals company, Johnson Matthey, in order to develop new ways to lower the costs of biofuel production.
NREL and Johnson Matthey have entered into a five-year, $7 million partnership as an effort to economically produce drop-in gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel from non-food biomass feedstocks, which will be conducted under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between the two organizations. The main goal will be to improve vapor phase upgrading during the biomass pyrolysis process in order to lower costs and speed production of lignocellulose-based fuels.
"We're delighted to be collaborating with NREL in this exciting field," Andrew Heavers, Business Development Director for New Technologies at Johnson Matthey, said. "Combining Johnson Matthey's understanding of catalysis with NREL's biomass processing capabilities will help accelerate the development of more economic routes to biofuels."
The non-food derived feedstocks used to produce the biofuels will vary from fast-growing poplar or pine trees to switch grass, forest and agriculture residue and municipal solid waste. The vapor produced from the pyrolysis of biomass can be used to make transportation fuel, if industry can efficiently convert it into the hydrocarbons similar to petroleum-based fuels used in modern engines.
Pyrolysis involves thermally decomposing organic materials using heat and pressure in the absence of oxygen. Pyrolysis vapors can contain carbon that can be condensed into oil, but impurities in that condensed oil is not suitable for engine use, or even readily converted into a fuel. This CRADA will develop catalytic materials that can convert these vapors into liquid fuels that can be used in cars, trucks, train engines, and jets.
This free educational webinar will provide a detailed process for climate-driven "pre-response" in a variety of key areas including: Supply Chain Disruptions, Employee Safety and Productivity, Regulatory and Compliance Risks …and many more areas.


text:
Electrical System of the Heart
Topic Overview
What controls the timing of your heartbeat?
Your heart's electrical system controls the timing of your heartbeat by regulating your:
- Heart rate, which is the number of times your heart beats per minute.
- Heart rhythm, which is the synchronized pumping action of your four heart chambers.
Your heart's electrical system should maintain:
- A steady heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute at rest. The heart's electrical system also increases this rate to meet your body's needs during physical activity and lowers it during sleep.
- An orderly contraction of your atria and ventricles (this is called a sinus rhythm).
See a picture of the heart and its electrical system.
How does the heart's electrical system work?
Your heart muscle is made of tiny cells. Your heart's electrical system controls the timing of your heartbeat by sending an electrical signal through these cells.
Two different types of cells in your heart enable the electrical signal to control your heartbeat:
- Conducting cells carry your heart's electrical signal.
- Muscle cells enable your heart's chambers to contract, an action triggered by your heart's electrical signal.
The electrical signal travels through the network of conducting cell "pathways," which stimulates your upper chambers (atria) and lower chambers (ventricles) to contract. The signal is able to travel along these pathways by means of a complex reaction that allows each cell to activate one next to it, stimulating it to "pass along" the electrical signal in an orderly manner. As cell after cell rapidly transmits the electrical charge, the entire heart contracts in one coordinated motion, creating a heartbeat.
The electrical signal starts in a group of cells at the top of your heart called the sinoatrial (SA) node. The signal then travels down through your heart, triggering first your two atria and then your two ventricles. In a healthy heart, the signal travels very quickly through the heart, allowing the chambers to contract in a smooth, orderly fashion.
The heartbeat happens as follows:
- The SA node (called the pacemaker of the heart) sends out an electrical impulse.
- The upper heart chambers (atria) contract.
- The AV node sends an impulse into the ventricles.
- The lower heart chambers (ventricles) contract or pump.
- The SA node sends another signal to the atria to contract, which starts the cycle over again.
This cycle of an electrical signal followed by a contraction is one heartbeat.
SA node and atria
When the SA node sends an electrical impulse, it triggers the following process:
- The electrical signal travels from your SA node through muscle cells in your right and left atria.
- The signal triggers the muscle cells that make your atria contract.
- The atria contract, pumping blood into your left and right ventricles.
AV node and ventricles
After the electrical signal has caused your atria to contract and pump blood into your ventricles, the electrical signal arrives at a group of cells at the bottom of the right atrium called the atrioventricular node, or AV node. The AV node briefly slows down the electrical signal, giving the ventricles time to receive the blood from the atria. The electrical signal then moves on to trigger your ventricles.
When the electrical signal leaves the AV node, it triggers the following process:
- The signal travels down a bundle of conduction cells called the bundle of His, which divides the signal into two branches: one branch goes to the left ventricle, another to the right ventricle.
- These two main branches divide further into a system of conducting fibers that spreads the signal through your left and right ventricles, causing the ventricles to contract.
- When the ventricles contract, your right ventricle pumps blood to your lungs and the left ventricle pumps blood to the rest of your body.
After your atria and ventricles contract, each part of the system electrically resets itself.
How does the heart's electrical system regulate your heart rate?
The cells of the SA node at the top of the heart are known as the pacemaker of the heart because the rate at which these cells send out electrical signals determines the rate at which the entire heart beats (heart rate).
The normal heart rate at rest ranges between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Your heart rate can adjust higher or lower to meet your body's needs.
What makes your heart rate speed up or slow down?
Your brain and other parts of your body send signals to stimulate your heart to beat either at a faster or a slower rate. Although the way all of the chemical signals interact to affect your heart rate is complex, the net result is that these signals tell the SA node to fire charges at either a faster or slower pace, resulting in a faster or a slower heart rate.
For example, during periods of exercise, when the body requires more oxygen to function, signals from your body cause your heart rate to increase significantly to deliver more blood (and therefore more oxygen) to the body. Your heart rate can increase beyond 100 beats per minute to meet your body's increased needs during physical exertion.
Similarly, during periods of rest or sleep, when the body needs less oxygen, the heart rate decreases. Some athletes actually may have normal heart rates well below 60 because their hearts are very efficient and don't need to beat as fast. Changes in your heart rate, therefore, are a normal part of your heart's effort to meet the needs of your body.
How does your body control your heart rate?
Your body controls your heart by:
- The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, which have nerve endings in the heart.
- Hormones, such as epinephrine and norepinephrine (catecholamines), which circulate in the bloodstream.
Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are opposing forces that affect your heart rate. Both systems are made up of very tiny nerves that travel from the brain or spinal cord to your heart. The sympathetic nervous system is triggered during stress or a need for increased cardiac output and sends signals to your heart to increase its rate. The parasympathetic system is active during periods of rest and sends signals to your heart to decrease its rate.
During stress or a need for increased cardiac output, the adrenal glands release a hormone called norepinephrine into the bloodstream at the same time that the sympathetic nervous system is also triggered to increase your heart rate. This hormone causes the heart to beat faster, and unlike the sympathetic nervous system that sends an instantaneous and short-lived signal, norepinephrine released into the bloodstream increases the heart rate for several minutes or more.
Current as of: April 9, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Rakesh K. Pai, MD – Cardiology, Electrophysiology & Martin J. Gabica, MD – Family Medicine & Adam Husney, MD – Family Medicine & George J. Philippides, MD, FACC – Cardiology
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.


text:
Sisters! Watching me work...
Wow, it's March already!?!
In case you didn't get into the crux of my last post about decisions, I wanted to let you know I've decided to take a little break from posting here so I can focus on finally transferring my site over to wordpress and re-designing it to not only look more like what I envision in my mind but to be SO MUCH MORE functional!
You're going to be able to tell what the heck it is I do for a living and be able to find what you're looking for- imagine that!
I've spent so much time the past couple years helping other people fix their sites and branding and copy to better appeal to their customers, all the while ignoring my own! I have lists of all the changes I know I need to make and decided that instead of spending more time fixing up this blog that can never be quite what I want it to be anyway, the time is now to start from scratch and create a site that actually matches my skills and enthusiasm and passion for what I'm doing.
So, this is kitty photo Friday indefinitely until I have a new Miss Modish home to show off to you!
I might have spring fever, or something like that ;) Until I return, much mojo to you! Can't wait to have a new site to share with you all!
<3 Jena


text:
A Window to the World
A Window to the World
Article contributed by View, Inc.
Imagine a glass that changes from transparent to opaque — or even somewhere between the extremes — on demand. A glass that helps decrease your energy bill and bring in just the right amount of natural, comforting light. All of this is possible with dynamic glass for windows from View, Inc.
The average person spends 90 percent of his or her time indoors, and natural, comfortable light from windows is extremely important. Studies demonstrate that windows accelerate healing time in hospitals, improve learning rates in schools and increase productivity in offices.
Dynamic windows from View allow you to take advantage of these benefits without the drawbacks of heat, glare, and UV light — and without the need for physical barriers such as shades that block out the environment. Dynamic windows can also help reduce energy costs, increase comfort, and enhance a person's quality of life.
When used in architectural windows, View Dynamic Glass can intelligently regulate the amount of heat and glare that enters a building. In addition, the glass automatically transitions between clear and variable tint in response to environmental conditions and user preferences.
This creates an environment where occupants benefit from uninterrupted views, abundant natural light, and greatly improved comfort, boosting the mood for guests and patients in hospitals like Toronto's Humber River Hospital; fostering a better learning environment in educational facilities like The Lory Student Center at Colorado State University; facilitating productivity and collaboration in corporate workspaces like CenturyLink's Technology Center; and enabling hotels like The W Hotel in San Francisco to conserve energy by tinting rooms when guests are away.
Click here to learn more about View Dynamic Glass and its architectural applications.


text:
What is Service of Process?
The Department of State is designated as the agent for service of process on all foreign insurance companies; foreign corporations not registered with the Secretary of State; foreign and domestic corporations after diligent effort; mobile home manufacturers; out-of-state motorists involved in suits growing out of automobile accidents on Louisiana highways; and watercraft operating in Louisiana waters.
The Legal Services Section checks, prepares, processes suits for mailing and maintains files in connection with the suits. This section also maintains a file on the addresses of insurance companies for service. After processing, the suits are sent out by certified mail. The services rendered to the public will be coordinated to meet the time elements prescribed by law. Service of Process requires a 15 day response to the law suits sent from the Legal Services Section. We do not accept service on any other state agency, board, etc., or a Louisiana resident.
For service on the State of Louisiana or another state agency, citation and petition may be obtained by citation and service on the Attorney General of Louisiana and on the department, board, commission or agency head.
For suits filed against a political subdivision of the state or any of its departments, offices, boards, commissions, agencies or instrumentalities, citation and service may be obtained on any proper agent(s) designated by the local governing that filed their notice of service of process with the Secretary of State's office. If no agent is filed with the Secretary of State, service may be obtained on the city, parish or district attorney.
Louisiana CCP 1261, et al allows the Secretary of State to designate someone on his behalf to accept service of process. The Legal Services Section at 8585 Archives Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70809 are the only appointed designees by the Secretary of State. Service on any other employee of the Secretary of State's office is improper.
Free software is required to view some content on this site. If you are having problems accessing a file, click the file type below to install the necessary software: PDF (Adobe Acrobat Viewer) | DOC or DOCX (Microsoft Word Viewer) | XLS or XLSX (Microsoft Excel Viewer)
©   2024 Louisiana Department of State


text:
No snow: Midwest cities breaking records
By BARBARA RODRIGUEZ
Associated Press
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- No snow boots needed in Milwaukee. Chicago commuters aren't dodging knee-deep snow drifts frozen along city sidewalks. And children in Des Moines are settling for ice shavings dumped from a Zamboni.
Many cities in the Midwest haven't seen any decent snow this season _ and some are even setting records for the number of days without it, in part because last winter was so mild and any precipitation that does fall gets soaked into the drought-parched land.
On Thursday, Des Moines matched a record set in 1889 when it hit its 277th consecutive day without measurable snowfall, according to the National Weather Service. Iowa's capital city is expecting clear skies Friday.
Grow the Future of Public Media
MPR News is supported by Members. Gifts from individuals power everything you find here. Make a gift of any amount today to become a Member!
That may not sit well with local youngsters, according to ice skating rink manager Dave Roquet. He said that after he emptied the accumulated ice from his Zamboni recently in downtown Des Moines, a group of children ran straight for the man-made snow.
"The kids just went crazy for it," he laughed. "They saw it, and I think they hadn't seen snow in so long. They just started throwing snowballs at each other."
In Nebraska, Omaha recorded its 285th consecutive snowless day Wednesday _ breaking its previous record set in 2006 _ and Lincoln extended its record on Thursday to 297 days without measureable snow. Lincoln's former record was 295 snow-free days in 2004.
Chicago and Milwaukee are just days away from breaking their records. Other areas also are either setting or close to records, while some cities are far off their usual snowfall totals.
But fear not, white Christmas dreamers: Snow is coming, at least for some people. Forecasters are calling for snow in parts of Nebraska and Iowa starting Saturday night and into Sunday, and possibly in Chicago the next day.
Florida-native Patricia Dryden admits she doesn't mind the whiteless weather at her home in suburban Des Moines.
"Two years ago there was a snowstorm," she said. "Now it's around 60 degrees. Selfishly, I'm happy."
National Weather Service program manager Jim Keeney said the country's drought conditions this year are to blame for snow not sticking to the ground.
"At this point it doesn't matter what falls from the sky, snow or rain," he said. "To get precipitation would be beneficial for a chunk of the country."
He also noted some cities that have seen snow are well below their averages this time of year.
Minneapolis usually has about 11 inches of snow on the ground by early December _ but the measurement stands at less than an inch right now. Green Bay, Wis., is more than four inches off its normal snowfall.
Data shows Chicago will be just two days away Friday from breaking its 1994 record of 280 days without measurable snow. Milwaukee also will be two days away from breaking its 1999 record of 279 consecutive days without measurable snow, though there is a slight chance for snow Friday night.
Keeney said just a small portion of the country around Kentucky and Tennessee is expected to have above normal precipitation in the months ahead.
"We might all just expect more of the same," he said.


text:
And a Merry Christmas it was for our family!!! I hope everyone had a happy holiday season - we sure did. Today is the day, however, that we take it all down. {sniff...gasp...} This part is always so hard for me because the Christmas break, the excitement, the spending time together, the celebration, all of it is so much fun and when we take the decor down, it means that the fun is officially over. So to keep myself from lapsing into a post-Christmas depression, I'm looking ahead.
Is it weird that I'm already excited for Valentine's Day?!
Here's some of the decor that will all be destroyed today... I didn't take a whole lot of pictures this year...I know, shame on me, but I'm so preoccupied with way too many things going on.
My tree this year....ahhhhh....
I wanted sort of a golden/sugar plum kind of thing going, and at night, that's exactly what I got. It was gorgeous. And then, slowly, it got un-decorated from the bottom up to where my little baby girl's arm reaches. Thank goodness everything is plastic! Glad I learned that lesson long ago...
And this is my little baby tree up in our window mantle area.
(it's dark here...always cloudy...not much natural light...OY!)
zoomed out, a little crooked, and kinda dark... but you get the idea, right?!
It was all so magical.
Some Christmas whimsy.
And my little elf 'helper' peeking out! And when I say 'helper', I mean 'destroyer.'
So now it's onward and upward. January is not only the start of the new year, it's the start of my MOVE TO ARIZONA COUNTDOWN!!! wahoo!!!!! To say that we're excited is a severe understatement. Not that we don't love it here in Michigan, we really do, but we're pretty much homesick for all things related to home. Our families, Mexican food that will never be matched, outdoor activities all year long, the scenery, the scenery, and more scenery. This year couldn't end fast enough for me....come on 2012!!
Happy New Year to all of you!!!


text:
Pro-Gay DC Mayor Adrian Fenty Loses
Washington DC Mayor Adrian Fenty, who enthusiastically signed the city's marriage equality bill into law, has lost his reelection primary bid against City Council Chairman Vince Gray.
Gray's victory is tantamount to election: Democrats hold a 10-1 registration edge in the capital city, and Republicans aren't even fielding a mayoral candidate. Fenty already has ruled out taking the GOP line on the ballot. The mayor's defeat comes despite the fact that a recent Washington Post poll showed 56% of Washingtonians happy about the direction of the city. But other community leaders, including Gray and his city council colleagues, complained that the mayor didn't include them in decision-making. Fenty blamed his image problems on unpopular decisions he had to make to improve the city.Gray was endorsed by the (gay) Gertrude Stein Democratic Club and a number of labor unions, including the police and fire departments.
Labels: 2010 elections, Adrian Fenty, Washington DC


text:
Cartoon Network Finds Perfect Fit With "Hole in the Wall"
via Cartoon Network press release:
Cartoon Network Finds Perfect Fit With "Hole in the Wall"
Network Orders 10 Episodes Of Global Game Show Phenomenon
From American Idol Producers FremantleMedia North America
How many ways can you bend your body? Cartoon Network is on a mission to find out with a 10-episode order of HOLE IN THE WALL, the global game show phenomenon produced by FremantleMedia North America. Casting is underway and production will begin shortly for this new, "twisted" half-hour game show featuring two teams of families in competition as they face down a series of moving barriers with ever-changing cut-out shapes.
Speed, agility and a hearty sense of humor are essential tools to survive HOLE IN THE WALL -one of the trickiest, fastest, funniest and wettest shows on the planet – as contestants contort their bodies every which way to fit through the wall or else end up being swept away into a pool of water. As the rounds progress and the pace heats up, mind over matter, quick thinking, coordination, and clever teamwork play a crucial role as each team strives to maneuver through walls literally closing in on them.
HOLE IN THE WALL became an instant ratings success story on-air and online after launching on Japan's Fuji TV in July 2006, where it continues to rank No. 1 in its timeslot. The format swiftly created waves around the world, with FremantleMedia currently producing versions in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Sweden and the U.K.
FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. production division of global media giant FremantleMedia. Based in Burbank, California, FMNA produces entertaining and innovative programs for network, cable, syndicated and online platforms, including the Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon "American Idol" (FOX), "America's Got Talent" (NBC), "What Chilli Wants" (VH1), "Kirstie Alley's BIG LIFE" (A&E), "Let's Make A Deal" (CBS), "Downfall" (ABC), "Family Feud" (syndicated), and the longest-running game show in television history, "The Price Is Right" (CBS).


text:
Pitchers take bunts, but hold off on hitting
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Rangers' 14th game of the season is against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Under the new alignment with 15 teams in each league, this will be the earliest the Rangers have played an Interleague game on the road.
So the Rangers have to get their pitchers ready to hit, but right now manager Ron Washington only has them working on bunting with third-base coach Gary Pettis. He does not want them swinging the bat early in Spring Training.
"We'll figure out something before we leave here, but I don't want them up there swinging like they're Babe Ruth," Washington said. "They need to get ready to pitch, not to hit. I'm not going to let a pitcher get hurt swinging the bat."
He also doesn't want them getting hurt running the bases. Alexi Ogando missed five weeks last season with a strained right groin muscle last season that occurred while he was beating out a bunt against the Giants in San Francisco.
"All I want my pitchers to do is be able to bunt the ball," Washington said. "If good things happen and they get on base, I want them going base to base. I don't want anybody going from first to third, sliding in and then dusting off their uniform for the camera."


text:
This stylish bib is made from 100% Cotton and backed with thick terry towelling to absorb moisture, making it perfect for a new born bub.
This bib will fit newborn to 3 months.
Bib size is approx 11cm from neck to bottom of bib and 19cm wide.
Why not match with a bandana bib in this same material?
Care Instructions: Recommend washing with like colours, on a gentle cold machine wash.


text:
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
Explanation: Our Moon turned red last week. The reason was that during the night of January 20, a total lunar eclipse occurred. The above digitally superimposed photographs captured the Moon three times during this lunar eclipse, once just as the Moon entered the Earth's shadow, once when the Moon was near the middle of the shadow, and once just before the Moon exited. The red tint of the eclipsed Moon is created by sunlight first passing through the Earth's atmosphere, which preferentially scatters blue light (making the sky blue) but passes and refracts red light, before reflecting back off the Moon. Differing amounts of clouds and volcanic dust in the Earth's atmosphere make each lunar eclipse appear differently.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
Jerry Bonnell (USRA)
NASA Technical Rep.:
Jay Norris.
Specific rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
Michigan Tech. U.


text:
Why it's okay to be skeptical about transgender politics, while still being respectful:
- As Jamison Green said, "There is NOT one way to be trans." A story about a single person won't tell you about everyone.
- Lots of people hide their trans beliefs, feelings and actions. We don't know about them. Anything about transgender issues that contains "most," "all" or any percentage is probably wrong.
- We don't hold elections. Any person talking to you about their transgender beliefs, feelings or actions is not authorized to speak on behalf of anyone else.
- Brain science is not at a point where it can tell us anything reliable. Anything about transgender issues that talks about specific parts of the brain is probably wrong.
- People are not reliable – about transgender issues or anything else.
- Most people desperately want to be normal, and are willing to lie to themselves and everyone else to feel normal. Anything that makes anyone look normal is probably wrong.
- Your beliefs – about gender and everything else – are your own. Don't let anyone tell you what to believe.
How we use gender:
- Every society we know of assigns people to genders. Usually this is "man" or "woman," depending on the way their genitals look at birth. Some societies have a third gender that involves a combination of the roles of the male and female genders.
- Most people have the habit of classifying everyone they meet into one gender or another. Often this is reflected in aspects of language such as pronouns. Some languages, like French, even assign gender to inanimate objects.
- Classifying people is a means to an end. Classifying people by gender is a way to figure out whether a person will be safe, a good mate, a good worker, or even someone vulnerable. There will always be many exceptions.
- Every society we know of reserves certain roles, spaces and relationships for the exclusive use of one gender or the other, such as jobs, bathrooms and marriages. In these situations, gender is always a shortcut for some harder-to measure criterion, like strength or the ability to bear children.
- Every society we know of has gender expression: ways that people identify themselves as one gender or another. Some of these are behavioral, involving habits of speaking or moving. Others involve clothing, accessories and grooming.
- Many people fight over gender categories, particularly over who gets any benefits associated with belonging to one category or another, and who gets to speak for one gender or another.
How we react to gender:
- Everyone has feelings about their gender. Many people have gender dysphoria: discomfort with the gender they were assigned.
- Many people have transgender desire: a desire to be a gender different from the one assigned to them.
- Some people experience gender fog: an intense excitement associated with a significant gender event.
- Everyone has beliefs about their own gender. Some people have transgender beliefs that conflict with other people's expectations.
- Some people take transgender actions: they are assigned to one gender but take on expressions, spaces and roles that conflict with other people's expectations. These gender expressions may include modifying their bodies in various ways.
- These transgender actions are not new. We find them described for every society, in every time period.
Some bad news about gender:
- Some people attack other people for taking transgender actions.
- Some people reject their own children for transgender actions.
- Some people discriminate against people for taking transgender actions.
- Some people commit suicide over the intensity of their transgender feelings, or actions.
- Some people take transgender actions and then regret them.
If you have transgender feelings or beliefs:
- There is NOT one way to be trans. Base your decisions for your actions on how you want to live your life, not on a category.
- Gender fog can impair a person's ability to make decisions. Avoid making long-term decisions while in a gender fog.
- You don't need to change your gender classification to come out as transgender.
- It's good to experiment with gender, but some experiments can change you permanently, and others can give you unreliable information.
- If you've decided not to change your gender classification, be aware that taking certain actions might undermine that decision.
How to respect gender:
- You will meet people who have strong feelings about their gender. Be sympathetic.
- You will meet people whose beliefs about their gender differ from yours. Respect their beliefs, and expect that they will respect yours.
- You will meet people who express gender differently from the way you expect. Respect them. Live and let live.
- You will meet people who want you to address and refer to them as a different gender than you might otherwise. Honor their desire. It's just words.
- You will meet people who you would normally assign to one gender, but who want to take on roles and spaces that your society reserves for a different gender. Respect their wishes and accommodate them as much as possible.
- You will meet people whose sexualities interact with gender in unfamiliar ways. Respect them.
- You may be tempted to say something negative or mocking of transgender feelings or actions. Think about how that might be heard. Think about your fellow human beings.
How to help:
- Some people spin myths about transgender feelings, thoughts and actions. Some of the most destructive myths are spun by people who are trying to help. Be skeptical, while still being respectful.
- There is NOT one way to be trans. Don't assume everyone with transgender feelings will take the same actions.
- Dealing with transgender feelings is hard. Offer support (but not advice unless asked).
- We hear lots of nasty things about people who violate gender norms. Say a few nice things.
- Some people attack people who violate gender norms. Protect people from these attacks, and speak out against attacks.
- Some people discriminate against people who violate gender norms. Help balance that out.
- It's hard for people to find love. Consider loving someone who does gender differently.


text:
Samoa Air First to Charge Passengers by Weight
Yes, you get weighed. By a stranger. At the airport.
April 2, 2013— -- If it's an April Fools' Day joke, it's an awfully elaborate one. If not, Samoa Air has become the first airline in the world to do what was previously unthinkable: Charge passengers by weight.
Yes, you get weighed. By a stranger. At the airport.
Not that the idea hasn't been floated -- several times -- in the past. In fact, ABC News reported just last week a Norwegian economist was the latest to float the idea of an airline "fat tax."
The Samoa Air homepage reads "We at Samoa Air are keeping airfares fair, by charging our passengers only for what they weigh. You are the master of your Air'fair', you decide how much (or little) your ticket will cost. No more exorbitant excess baggage fee's [sic], or being charged for baggage you may not carry. Your weight plus your baggage items, is what you pay for. Simple."
"Airplanes don't run on seats, they run on weight," Samoa Air's Chief Executive, Chris Langton, told Radio Australia.
If any airline were to try a pay-what-you-weigh policy, Samoa Air would make perfect sense. Obesity is a major problem in the Pacific islands. The World Health Organization reported in 2010 that 80 percent of women in American Samoa were obese.
Attempts to reach Samoa Air by ABC News were not immediately successful.
A section of the airline's web site titled "How does pay what you weigh work?" outlines the steps in determining a passengers final airfare.
Step 1. Select 'book online', and choose your flight
Step 2. Enter your details, including your estimated weight(s) of passengers and baggage
Step 3. Your airfare is then calculated using your weight.
Step 4. You travel happy, knowing full well that you are only paying for exactly what you weigh... nothing more.
And how does the airline guard against people entering their high school weight as opposed to their actual weight? That's where the getting weighed by a stranger at the airport comes in.
"Booking a flight with us is as easy as inputting your approximate weight into our online booking engine (don't worry, we will weigh you again at the airport) - you then can prepay your 'guesstimate', guaranteeing you that much weight is allocated to you for that flight," the site reads.
"People who have been most pleasantly surprised are families because we don't charge based on seat requirement even though a child is required to have a seat," Langton said. "We just weigh them. So a family of two adults and maybe a couple of mid-sized kids or younger children can travel for considerably less than what they were being charged before."
Samoa Air flies from Samoa to American Samoa, North Tonga, Niue, North Cook Islands and French Polynesia. The airline does not fly large commercial aircraft, but rather small planes that are more susceptible to weight variances.
And while Langton said there's "no doubt in my mind this is the concept of the future," it will likely take major carriers quite awhile to warm up to the concept, if they ever do.
But on the other hand, did you ever think 10 years ago you'd be paying for checked bags?


text:
I'll admit to having had the itch to cover this year's Lake Sonoma 50 Mile in, uh, Sonoma, California for a couple months now. The entry list has been killer, but with the other half of the iRunFar Headquarters team racing in Morocco, it was gonna be tough to pull this off. Then, yesterday afternoon, I said screw it, so early this evening I'll hop in the iRunFar Car and make the 800-mile drive west. I am certain that this year's Sonoma 50 will make that drive worth it. Why? Well, I'll tell you why.
… and, for once, I promise to keep this short. It's already late Wednesday night and I'll be driving well into Thursday night/Friday morning.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, I'll be livecasting the race on iRunFar's Twitter feed starting 6:30 am PDT on Saturday.
Lake Sonoma 50 Women's Preview
I think that the women's race is going to come down to who's been healthy out of ladies who could win Sonoma of which I think there are four: Darcy Africa, Krissy Moehl, Tyler Stewart, and Joelle Vaught. Darcy is as tough as they come, but she's been battling painful injuries for quite some time and, back in January, they lowered her fun-o-meter enough that she dropped from the Bandera 100k. Krissy was out running at the UltrAspire team summit a few days ago, but she battled an ankle injury earlier in the year and she's not raced since The North Face Endurance Challenge (TNF EC) back in December. Tyler is a triathlete turned ultrarunner who set the Way Too Cool 50k course record in March and finished fifth at the TNF EC '11 in her 50 mile debut. She's been battling plantar fasciitis ever since Way Too Cool and already missed the Chicago Lakefront 50k two weeks ago due to the injury. As far as I know, Joelle is healthy and ready to go. That alone makes her the favorite going into this weekend.
Rory Bosio was originally on my "could win it" list, but I do think that one of the four women named above will best her on Saturday. That said, she has a good shot at being in the top 3. She tends to be very selective in her racing and performs well when she does race. She ran quite well in finishing fifth at Way Too Cool. Stephanie Howe has won both the 50ks she's run in the past seven months and has beaten the likes of Krissy, Jenn Shelton, and Pam Smith in either a trail marathon or 50k in the same span. She will be making her 50 mile debut at Sonoma. Jennifer Pfeifer has been winner ultras since I was a freshman running collegiate indoor track, which is to say awhile ago. In the mean time, she's won more ultras than I care to count, including all four 5oks she's entered in the past year. Last year, she was third at the American River 50, a race at which she has three wins, three seconds, and two thirds! Caren Spore has the second fastest women's time at Sonoma (2011 – 8:41:51), but has only raced once since last July. That race was a 50k win three weeks ago.
Other top women include Denise Bourrasso, Susan Brozik, Gretchen Brugman, Kiera Henninger, and Kelly Ridgway.
Lake Sonoma 50 Men's Preview
Just like Chuckanut, there are so many top guys at Lake Sonoma this year that it's a bit of a fool's errand to try and "organize" a preview of the men's field. One easy place to start is who's not running. Mike Foote, Nathan Yanko, and Jon Olsen are all out, so none of them will be a factor on Saturday. There are also rumblings that Leor Pantilat is out, which is a shame as he's not lost an ultra in three years and crushed the course record at the only 50 mile he's run (Quicksilver '11 – 6:01:45).
Alright, if I've got pick another subset, let's go with "locals," by which I mean anyone who lives in or has lived in the Bay Area recently. Although once again living in Boulder, recent Bay Area resident Dave Mackey is the sub-10o-mile yin to Karl Meltzer's 100-mile yang. Both are master's runners who regularly school young studs at their respective distances. If Mackey's own school work hasn't kept him from training, he will challenge for the win. Gary Gellin set the Way Too Cool 50k course record a weeks back, so he's in top form, but he doesn't have the same level of experience or success at 50 miles as he does at 50k. When I lived back East, Leigh Schmitt was THE 50 mile guy. He rarely lost. He won't win this weekend (and top 3 would be a stretch), but he'll race well. Jorge Maravilla is a name you should get to know even if top five would be a great showing from him this weekend. If Leor DOES run…. oh baby!
Team Pearl Izumi has the best chance to put two runners on the podium in Saturday with Nick Clark and Timothy Olson. A fresh Nick Clark is a dangerous Nick Clark; so is a focused Nick Clark. While he impressed with his back-to-back third places at Western States and Hardrock early last summer, he over raced. Not so this year. As for young Mr. Olson from Oregon, he continues to impress… and I'm not just talking about his hair! His sixth place at Western States last year and win at the Bandera 100k in January over Clark, Mackey, Joe Uhan, and Dylan Bowman shows he can beat anyone. Scott Jaime will also be joining his PI teammates in California.
Olson is joined by a slew of Oregonians invading California this weekend. Hal Koerner, the current Lake Sonoma course record holder (2010 – 7:08:20) and defending champ, will be looking to hold onto that title amidst much stiffer competition. Joe Uhan impressed at the Bandera 100k, the previous Montrail Ultra Cup race, with a third place finish behind only Olson and Mackey. Guys like Dan Olmstead and Jeff Browning should also perform well as they head south.
Dakota Jones. Well, he gets his own paragraph… mostly because he's the only guy in the race living in a truck. Dakota took most of the winter off from formal training, but is now back at it and with a coach, no less.
Other top men include Dan Barger, Thomas Crawford, Topher Gaylord, David La Duc, Joel Lanz, Erik Skaden (just coming off American River), Todd Walker, Scott Wolfe.
Please supplement my commentary with the one and only Karl Meltzer's Odds.
A Bit of Late Night Commentary
It used to be that the Northern California trio of the Way Too Cool 50k, American River 50 Mile, and Miwok 100k were THE races of the spring season. They kick things off, gradually bumped up the race distance, and got you ready for Western States. It was a no brainer that these were the events you went to if you wanted to face top competition. The days of those assumptions are over.
With no disrespect meant to those venerable (and still wonderful) races or their fields, this spring the deepest race fields are found elsewhere. Just a week after Way Too Cool, the Chuckanut 50k drew a noticeably stronger field. Similarly, just a week after AR, there's a more talented 50 mile field to be found just a few hours drive away. Regardless of race distance, Miwok once stood unrivaled as the King of May. This year, there'll be a more notable field of Americans toeing the line half a world away in Spain's Canary Islands for TransVulcania.
Of course, there is a fourth race in that natural-progression of NorCal I-80 races:
- March – 50k – Way Too Cool
- April – 50 mile – American River
- May – 100k – Miwok
- June – 100 miles – Western States
As of this year, Western States is still the Emperor of June and, at least on paper, seems to have the best 100 mile field in the world this year. However, its once unquestionable dominance is no longer that. Each of the last two years, there's been chatter about whether The North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc had the stronger field. Now comes Steamboat Springs, Colorado's Run Rabbit Run 100 with its $30,000 (and growing) prize purse and growing list of top tier entrants. Again, there's no question that Western States is currently the favorite for Hundred of the Year (at least in terms of depth), but that's now a title that's up for grabs in any given year… and that's a change.
What am I trying to get at? Nothing in particular other than our sport is a-changin' and fast. I think it would very hard for any of these races can ever regain a decades-long run at the top. Why? Because I can't see ANY race doing so without very strong challengers. Not with the money that's entered our sport. That money enables new races in awesome places to ramp up rapidly (see, TNF UTMB). That money funds purses that influence where top competitors race (see, TNF Endurance Challenge, UROC 100k, and Run Rabbit Run 100). That money allows those same runners to travel around the world seeking out the best competition. As a result, that money allows us to see some ridiculous match ups in fantastic settings in a way that wasn't imaginable just a few years ago. Whatever happens, we should remember the past, enjoy the present, and look forward to the future.
Happy trails,
PS. Sorry for not keeping this short!
Call for Comments
- Who'll take the men's and women's races at Lake Sonoma? Any big surprises behind the winners?
- Out of the Top 5 at January's Bandera 100k, four are racing Lake Sonoma: Timothy Olson (1st), Dave Mackey (2nd), Joe Uhan (3rd), and Nick Clark (5th). How will that group shake out in this rematch?
- Lake Sonoma is a Montrail Ultra Cup race with its much sought after Western States 100 spot available to the top two (or three, if one of the top two already has a WS100 spot) men and women. In a tweet, Dylan Bowman pointed out that it's possible with Clark, Olson, and Mackey already in States and with Koerner and Jones running Hardrock soon after States that no men's qualifier will come out of Lake Sonoma to run States. Still, the Ultra Cup WS spots sets up an interesting dynamic like Joe Uhan and Dylan Bowman's race for the third spot at Bandera, the previous MUC race. If they're interesting in running WS, the likes of Schmitt, Maravilla, and Olmstead have a little extra impetus to run top three. Do you think any men at Sonoma will qualify for Western States? Would you agree that its more likely a women will use a Sonoma MUC spot to race WS? If so, who is it going to be?
- What are your thoughts on the shake up atop the traditional March-June racing schedule?


text:
Outdoor Research Stormtracker Gloves
An excellent softshell glove that provides great dexterity, comfort, and protection from the elements. I would most certainly purchase these gloves again without a second thought.
- Awesome dexterity
- Very comfortable
- Great wind and cold weather protection (with limitations)
- Quality materials
- Quite durable
- Water resistant
- Breathes/wicks moisture well
- OR's "Infinite Guarantee"
- Zipper (YKK) toggle can be a bit finicky. Not to the point that it fails or malfunctions, but the toggles are small and I have now resorted to getting them closed up at times with my teeth
Glove Model: OR Storm Tracker
Glove Type: Softshell (Windstopper)
Target Comfort Range: 15/35 degrees Fahrenheit (-9/2 degrees Celsius)
Size: XL (S, M, L, and XL available)
Gender: Mens (Womens also available in S, M & L (black/charcoal only)
Color: Black/Charcoal(Chili/Charcoal also available)
Weight: 5.9oz. / 168g.
Warranty: OR's Infinite Guarantee (lifetime)
Date of initial purchase: December 3, 2011
As some of you may already be aware I really enjoy being on trail during the winter seasons. Well with these types of endeavors comes the need for gear suited for the conditions.
It seems as though my favorite time of year is making it's presence known early this year here in SW Pa. We already have a foot of snow on the trail that I frequent regularly.
Prior to last winter season I decided I needed a pair of gloves that were a bit less bulky than my deep winter gloves (Dakine Rangers.) The Ranger is a solid glove but unless the temps are in the "nether region" they are overkill.
Okay, let me rephrase that; they take overkill to a whole new level.
If I am on the move I want a glove that doesn't smother my hand in a level of warmth that is somewhat comparable to a blazing inferno. I also want a glove that gives my fingers the ability to move without them feeling restricted.
I just want the digits to be comfortable. No hot, not cold... Just comfortable.
So after some extensive (exhaustive) research I ended up snagging up a pair of Outdoor Research's Storm Tracker gloves.
I have to say I am quite impressed with these gloves and this model has met all of my needs exceptionally well.
I figured with the colder seasons fast approaching this would be a very good opportunity to share my experiences with these gloves with those interested.
How do they perform? How do they hold up ya ask....
Well if ya have a little time and are willing to read another one of my "ramblings" I will do everything I can to answer those questions and maybe a few more...
So with that being said let's not beat around the bush, here is my review of the OR Storm Trackers.
A brief overview of the Storm Trackers:
(manufacurer's description:)
"The ultimate in backcountry versatility, the StormTracker Gloves™ are equally at home alpine climbing, ski touring or ice climbing. Low-profile WINDSTOPPER® soft shell fabric deflects biting gusts, and a tricot lining retains valuable heat. The streamlined profile allows for amazing breathability, unprecedented dexterity and extraordinary tactility. If you are looking for a durable, nimble glove that performs well in moderately cold conditions, the StormTracker Gloves™ are for you."
The Outdoor Research Storm Trackers are best described from my standpoint as a non-adjustable, no nonsense approach to a low profile, streamlined, softshell glove that not only offers protection from the cold but also provides excellent dexterity. They implement features such as WINDSTOPPER softshell fabric to deflect the cold biting, wind as well as a tricot lining to keep in a bit of heat when the temps plummet.
They have locking YKK zippers on the wrist gauntlet entry points and a few other features that just make sense.
These gloves are suited for those that are on the move and those that use their hands whether it be logging miles with trekking poles, or swinging an ice axe. They are not a bulky, seriously insulated glove that will keep one warm while standing by a tree at -40°F.
What they are is one heck of a great glove for keeping one's digits shielded from the cold biting winds of winter while still providing optimal tactility/dexterity.
The skinny on the Storm Trackers:
The OR Storm Trackers fit me very well. I typically wear a XL in any glove and there is no exception here.
The Storm Trackers are more of a form fitting/lower profile glove. They fit my "paws" about as perfect as I could want them too.
My hands are approximately 8" long and (roughly) 9" in circumference:
The reason I say "roughly" above in regards to circumference is because I can't seem to find my tailor's tape so I was left using the ol' Stanley.
The XLs fit me very well. If my paws were any bigger these glove might not work for me. So keep this in mind if you have your eyes on this model.
You can find a sizing guide here for OR's gloves by clicking on the sizing guide tab on the page.
As far as comfort goes with this model all I can really say is I couldn't be happier. The WINDSTOPPER softshell material in combination with the tricot lining does a very good job at providing a bit of warmth for as thin as the glove is. The tricot lining is also very comfortable and soft.
I have worn these gloves on trail for 10hr days (as well as nights) and I have to say there has not been one time that I can recall where the gloves became uncomfortable.
The WINDSTOPPER softshell material does a very good job at keeping the cold, winter winds at bay. Now keep in mind this is when one is on the move.
Blood flow decreases when one's activity levels are decreased(like sitting around camp at night)so if you are considering these gloves for that purpose then look elsewhere. The Storm Trackers are not designed for that type of use nor do they provide the type of insulation that is necessary for that type of activity...
Or should I say "lack of?"
The Storm Trackers are a great glove for me down to the single digits from my experiences when on trail during the colder seasons. Notice, I said "for me." Your experiences with this model may vary dependent upon your activity levels, body chemistry, conditions, as well as other variables that vary from individual to individual.
To me this goes hand in hand with the subject of how cold one sleeps in regards to temp ratings for sleeping bags compared to another individual.
There is no "definite" answer. We are all different.
If you look at the target comfort range per OR (photo below) you will see that I am well past their recommended range:
This is the case for me and as I stated above I am sure others experiences will vary.
Water Resistance:
For the purpose of this review I just ran the Storm Trackers under the faucet while wearing one of the gloves. Here are my findings.
At 6 seconds the WINDSTOPPER fabric started to wet out, at 10 seconds the water made its way through the zipper on the wrist, and at 21 seconds the inner (tricot lining) of the glove became wet.
Now I know personally that these gloves are not waterproof from past experience but at the same time they are not claimed as being waterproof on OR's product page. They are stated as being water resistant.
I have found that in a drizzle they do not seem to wet out from prolonged exposure. The whole issue with the zipper letting water in is easily remedied by placing the cuffs of your shell over the wrist gauntlet which will cover the zipper shielding it from the elements.
If you are going to be utilizing these gloves in really wet( downpour) conditions I highly advise that you consider incorporating a waterproof over-mitt with them. This is not a bulky glove so using this model as a part of a system can be done.
The leather palms and fingers of the gloves also seem to absorb water at a fairly quick rate so treatment of the leather might be a good idea.
I have been considering treating the gloves with a sponge on treatment such as Nikwax Glove Proof. At the same time I know the results will only make the glove more water resistant based on the fact that (as I stated above) the Storm Trackers are not intended as being waterproof so I doubt that there was seam tape implemented into the construction of the glove during the manufacturing process.
I can't set my expectations to high on a treatment. Treatments can only do so much.
If your gloves wet out, and the conditions are cold(which could potentially cause the loss of ability to use your fingers) you can find yourself in a real bad situation very fast.
So please keep this in mind.
Breathability/Moisture Management:
The OR Storm Trackers breathe very well from my experiences.
I have yet to experience any moisture build-up on the interior of the gloves whatsoever. Nor have I experienced any type of clamminess/dampness on my hands.
The tricot lining and the face fabric does a very good job at transferring moisture away from my skin.
So this leaves me to believe that the glove breathe very well in regards to the conditions/levels of exertion that I have exposed the gloves too.
Simply put they breathe very, very well.
Construction/Durability/Abrasion resistance:
The construction of the Storm Trackers is quite good and on par with what I have come to expect from OR products that I have owned currently as well as in the past.
There are no loose stitches and all of the stitches are uniform. From looking at the glove nothing seems to be amiss.
The face fabric (WINDSTOPPER) on the Storm Trackers has yet to show any wear after fairly extensive use.
(WINDSTOPPER softshell face fabric)
The leather also seems to be holding up quite well. I always use trekking poles so the palm and inner finger areas are constantly in contact with the grips of my poles when on trail.
(leather "high wear" areas)
They have also been subjected to gathering/splitting firewood, priming/operating various stoves, preparing meals, pitching tents and other various camp chores.
They show very little wear for the amount of time that I have owned them. Honestly, other than a few scuffs they are no worse for wear than when I bought them.
I have to say for as light weight as they are these gloves seem to be quite durable.
(Then again I have yet to subject them to the "crampon test.")
There is no hook & loop, no adjustable toggles, no high tech BOA type tensioning system or any other real way to adjust the gloves. I mean you do have the zipper on the wrist gauntlet so I suppose one could consider this to be a way to adjust the glove for the purpose to vent to some degree.
Function/Ease of Use:
They are gloves. They are pretty straight forward. Somewhat like socks for your hands. Ya put them on and take them off.
But for the sake of this review I will give it a whirl...
Looking at the Storm Trackers from a functional perspective they do what they claim to do and they do it very well. They provide awesome, unrestricted range of motion and feel while also providing quite a bit of warmth for as thin as they are.
When it comes to being able to use my hands to perform camp chores that I have previously referenced earlier in the review I can honestly say that I have not used a glove that provides better dexterity and feel than the Storm Trackers.
I actually typed part of this review while wearing them. ;)
I could cover the gloves features here but for the sake of keeping this review organized I am going to save that for the features section of the review.
I would like to mention that I did clip the product a half star due to the wrist gauntlet zipper toggles. They are small....
Okay, make that tiny (see pic:)
I have on more than one occasion utilized my teeth to zip the gloves up on trail. I mean don't get me wrong, they do work but still can be somewhat inconvenient due to their "smallish" size.
There are not a ton of features on this model. As I stated earlier they are for the most part pretty streamlined but there are a few so I will break down each feature and provide a photo so ya know what I am referencing.
- WINDSTOPPER Softshell fabric:
(Manufacturer's description provided below)
"WINDSTOPPER® Soft Shell offers all the wind protection and warmth of standard WINDSTOPPER® fleece with the addition of a durable stretch-woven exterior for improved resistance to snow, spray, and abrasion."
- Leather palms & inner fingers:
The OR Storm Tracker incorporate leather into their design for areas where a bit more abrasion resistance is needed (palms/inner fingers) for performing such tasks as utilizing ice tools, trekking poles, adjusting crampons, etc.
There are also cuts in the finger areas of the gloves so range of motion isn't impeded in any way, shape or form
(finger cut-outs:)
- Locking YKK zipper:
The zippers on the wrist gauntlet are non-waterproof YKK zippers. When the zipper toggle is vertical or horizontal (pointing towards your arm) they are free flowing. Once you flick the toggle flush with your hands (horizontal towards your fingers) the zippers lock and do not slip out of their position.
- Pull loops:
There are pull loops on both gloves so that they are a bit easier to put on.
- Gusseted Wrist Gauntlets:
The gussets under the zippers provides protection while still giving one the ability to open the glove for venting purposes, etc.
- Quick connect squeeze buckle:
The Storm Trackers also have a quick connect squeeze buckle so you can connect the gloves to one another so ya don't misplace one.
Areas and Conditions of Use:
The OR Storm Trackers are my go-to gloves for my trips during the fall through early spring seasons here in Sw. Pa.(LHHT.)
I typically use these gloves when the temps are 32°F or colder.
The gloves provide great protection from the elements for me down to the single digits and have proven to be a formidable adversary of cold, windy winter weather. During the winter season they are a very important part of my winter kit.
They also provide an awesome level of tactility and dexterity which I most certainly appreciate when I truly need optimal use of my fingers.
If you are looking for a great pair of softshell gloves for your cold weather forays I would highly recommend that you give the Outdoor Research Storm Trackers are very hard look.
They are awesome as long as you keep in mind what they are and what their intended use is.
In closing...
As always I want to take the opportunity to thank you for taking the time to read my review of Outdoor Research's Storm Tracker softshell gloves.
I sincerely hope that the feedback that I have provided in the review above helps to clear up any questions you may have in regards to this model.
If you have any questions that may not be covered in the review feel free to post them in the comments section at the end of the review.
I will be more than happy to do whatever I can to answer each one to the best of my ability.
Happy hiking-Rick
Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $70 (usd)
Your Review
Where to Buy
You May Like
Men's | |
Price |
MSRP: $69.00 Current Retail: $37.93-$79.00 Historic Range: $29.98-$79.00 Reviewers Paid: $70.00 |
Women's | |
Price |
MSRP: $69.00 Historic Range: $33.10-$75.00 |


text:
- Home
- Departments
- Community Development
- Divisions
- Inspections
- New Construction
- Building Plans Submittal Procedure
Building Plans Submittal Procedure
Purpose: To provide a method for ensuring that all submitted plans contain the necessary information for a full technical review to begin without delay. The submitter or applicant will be notified if any required information needed for the review is missing.
I. General Requirements for Submitted Plans
- Only final plans should be submitted to the Inspections Division for a technical review. Plans marked as "Preliminary" or "Not for Construction" will not be accepted for review. Interested parties wishing to discuss issues prior to a formal submittal may request a preliminary meeting. These meetings are encouraged and may be scheduled with the Plans Reviewer.
- All submitted plans, or changes to plans, must be of sufficient size and clarity to facilitate plan review. One copy of plans or changes are required along with a digital copy of the plan submitted on a CD.
II. Review Periods
- Residential Plan Review - Ten working days. Subject to change in the event all needed information is not submitted.
- Commercial Plan Review- Fifteen (15) working days. Subject to change in the event all needed information is not submitted.
III. Types of Reviews
- Quality Review - A review used to determine if all applications are properly completed, plans are sealed (when necessary), and all required documents are present.
- Building Plan Review - A review used to assess compliance with any applicable codes.
- Final Review - A review used to assure that all other City of Lynchburg departments (Planning, Zoning, Erosion and Sediment, Water Resources, Engineering, etc.) have completed their reviews of a project, prior to the issuance of a building permit.
IV. Required Information
- Residential Plans
- Specific Information - Plans must be drawn to scale or have all dimensions shown and include a floor plan and elevations of all sides. Foundation and wall section details, including separation walls, should be submitted along with sizes, types, and spans of structural members. Locations of engineered components must be submitted with technical details to be provided on-site.
- Registered Design Professional (RDP) Drawings - Residential plans are not typically required to be prepared by an RDP. Section 54.1-402 of the Code of Virginia does allow the Building Official to require plans to be prepared by an RDP at his/her discretion. This is typically reserved for unusual circumstances outside of normally accepted building practices. If plans are prepared by an RDP, proper seals, and signatures are required. Retaining walls over four feet in height, measured from the bottom of the footing will require plans prepared and sealed by an RDP.
- Townhomes, Condominiums, and Apartments - One building permit application is typically required for each privately owned townhome or condominium. One building permit application for each apartment building is typically required. Any deviations from this are at the discretion of the Building Official.
- Model Program - Where an identical building is to be constructed in more than one location, plans may be submitted as a "model." The applicant will be charged a plan review fee for the initial review of "model" plans, but subsequent submittals will not require a plan review and will not incur a plan review fee. A plot plan and soil evaluation or affidavit will still be required to be submitted. Any changes to "model" plans will result in the necessity for a plan review and the assessment of a plan review fee.
- Soil Test - The applicant may choose to have a soil test performed and submit the results or sign a release affidavit releasing all liability to the applicant in the event of poor soil conditions. Any soil test must be performed by a person certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia and all reports must contain his/her professional seal and signature. Where moderate to high shrink-swell soil is found on the site, engineered foundation plans must be submitted detailing how the foundation is to be constructed to compensate for this condition. A third-party inspection may be required in these circumstances, in which case a letter of acceptance may be submitted in lieu of a footing or foundation inspection.
- Plot Plan - A plot plan, drawn to scale or showing all dimensions, showing the proposed new construction and all existing structures on the property including setbacks and distances from property lines, should be submitted. When required, an approved plot plan from the Zoning Division must be submitted. No building permit will be issued for buildings crossing property lines.
- A Completed Construction Permit Application (PDF)
- Commercial Plans - Architectural, structural, life safety, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical plans must be submitted. Proper Registered Design Professional seals and signatures must be provided in accordance with Code of Virginia 54.1-402. Owners/contractors may submit an application and plans for a "design-build" project, as long as the criteria for the project are not regulated under 54.1-402 and it complies with the applicable Uniform Statewide Building Code. A Certificate of Occupancy will only be issued after all required information is submitted
- A Completed Construction Permit Application
- Plot Plan - A plot plan, drawn to scale, showing the proposed new construction and all existing buildings on the site. When required, an approved plot plan from the Planning/Zoning division must be submitted.
- Soil Test - A soil evaluation is required for all projects that are required to participate in the Technical Review Committee process. The soil evaluation is to be done at final grade, by a person licensed to perform soil evaluations in the Commonwealth of Virginia and all reports must contain his/her professional seal and signature. Where moderate to high shrink-swell soils are found on the site, engineered plans must detail how the foundation is to be constructed to compensate for this condition. A third-party inspection may be required for this condition, in which case a letter of acceptance may be submitted in lieu of a footing or foundation inspection.
- Cover Sheet Information
- Submitter and address
- Code editions and sections referenced
- Building areas - allowed and actual, finished and unfinished
- Type of occupancy or use group classification
- Type of construction per the International Building Code
- Number of units
- Number of stories - allowed and actual
- Horizontal and vertical separations - required and provided
- Fire resistance ratings, including UL assemblies, if applicable
- Fire protection, sprinklers, unsprinklered, alarms, hood systems, etc.
- Occupant loads
- Length of travel distances - allowed and actual
- Add ADA requirements
- Other information pertinent to the project, as needed
V. Review Comments
- Unsealed Plans - If questions arise or corrections are needed, the applicant, or contractor, will be contacted by the Plan Reviewer. Items not resolved to the satisfaction of the Plan Reviewer may require correction and resubmission of plans. Corrections on the plans should be clouded for clarity, otherwise, a full review may be required to determine any changed items and an additional plan review fee may be assessed. Resubmissions are typically given priority, provided changes are properly detailed and itemized.
- Sealed Plans - If questions arise or corrections are needed, the Registered Design Professional or contractor will be contacted by the Plan Reviewer. Sealed amendments or corrections must be submitted for review and approved prior to any related site inspections. Failure to adequately detail or itemize changes may result in delays to plan approval and permitting.


text:
Home | Reviews | Extras | Forums |
Shakugan no ShanaSynopsisOne day, Sakai Yuji, a high school student who had expected his normal life to last forever, finds out that he has in fact been dead for some time. While on his way home, he witnesses a shocking view as the world suddenly freezes, with people being engulfed by blue flames and a monster resembling a large doll swallowing them. Just as the monster prepares to consume Yuji, a sword-wielding girl with flaming red eyes and hair that burns like embers saves him. The girl calls herself a "Flame Haze" who hunts the "Guze no Tomogara", creatures from another world. As Yuji notices a blue flame in his chest, she calls him a "Torch" or temporary replacement, saying that the "real" Yuji's existence has already ended. Unfazed, Yuji befriends the strange and nameless girl, nicknaming her "Shana" and joining her fight against the Tomogara. ReviewSometimes, I feel that it is a shame that I did not watch an anime series while it was airing, and such is the case with Shakugan no Shana, the popular adaptation of a fantasy and action-oriented light novel. Given that I have found some similar shows to be heavy with fanservice, drawn-out battle scenes, and insufferable cliches and light on depth (Kaze no Stigma being one example), it was not a series I especially expected to like, and its languid pacing and long expository opening tested my patience for some time. Shakugan No Shana, however, manages to survive a rocky start and evolves into a thoroughly entertaining story, albeit a persistently insubstantial one. Shakugan no Shana is a series that was designed to be suspenseful, in that relatively little is given away in each episode such that the viewer is, presumably, dying to see next week's entry. This is especially noticeable early on, where little in regards to what the Flame Haze actually do is clear until episode five or six, the first real villain hardly comes into the story for that same amount of time, and at most three or four important facts about the setting emerge per episode. Any show in which a "normal" character is thrust into an abnormal world is likely to have a slow opening, but outside of a well-choreographed battle that straddles episodes one and two, the show is somewhat tedious to watch for almost a quarter of its run because of this meandering pace. It doesn't help especially that the arc of the first villain, a suave "puppeteer" Tomogara, is by far the least interesting one, since he is visible for such a short time, his personality is limited to him acting in a generically evil fashion, and none of the revelations that do occur in that period emerge from Shana's battles with him, making him seem like a superfluous figure just when the show is in desperate need of purpose. Indeed, this slowness is also apparent in the large amount of time that Shakugan no Shana devotes to building up to its battles, and while this is not stretched out to an insufferable extreme there are perhaps two episodes of buildup for every episode of action. This is not something I necessarily mind, for in many fantasy series it allows time for world-building and gives the viewer the chance consider what the series at hand is trying to say and what subtext may be drawn from its plot. The backstory of Shakugan no Shana, however, boils down to the tale of a long-running war between opposing supernatural armies, one that intends to upset the balance of the world for its own gains and another that seeks to stymie this, and this far in the franchise there is little to indicate that its plot serves any purpose besides the obvious, meaning that the slow episodes accomplish very little. The series' magical elements, at least, are not as arbitrarily constructed as I feared they might be, a few "awakened powers" that conveniently emerge in dire times notwithstanding, but this show's fictional universe isn't a masterpiece of imaginative storytelling by any stretch, and as a result of that Shakugan no Shana begins to fall apart whenever the pace slackens. These criticisms aside, there is much to like about Shakugan no Shana, and these positive aspects become much more apparent when it is no longer trying to find its feet. When the exposition ceases, the pace picks up somewhat, and much to its benefit the show abandons what is shaping up to be a "villain-of-the-arc" structure in favor of a troupe of recurring figures whose reasons for wanting to destroy "existences" make some sense and whose personalities are far more dynamic. Meanwhile, the characters of Yuji and Shana, neither of whom are anything besides plot devices at show's onset, evolve to a point where their relationship is essential to the story, their personalities crucial to the show's charm. It is an interesting case of characterization and plot complementing each other well: neither of the two would win awards for characterization and the plot is similar to those of many other shows, but without their relationship the plot would rapidly lose steam, and vice versa. Yuji wastes little time despairing is status as a "Torch" and instead tries hard to make himself useful to Shana by training to fight alongside her, and although he does manage to help her out, he does not have a dramatic moment in which he is suddenly able to fight perfectly (as happens in far too many shounen series), nor does he slacken. He instead works persistently to the point where Shana's view of him and other humans, whom she had previously viewed as weaklings deserving of little regard, is altered. Shana, for her part, is a far more interesting character than her tsundere role would seem to indicate; although her tantrums are awful when they do occur, her sour personality is fitting given her lonely and arduous existence and the moments in which it is taken to an extreme are mercifully rare. She is, luckily, not relegated to a supporting role as are many female characters in these shows, but instead, it is her fighting ability rather than Yuji's that constitutes the focus of the series. His companionship does soften her personality, in a far less blatant and rapid manner than occurs in other shows with tsundere characters, but he does not supersede her importance or make her appear incompetent, instead becoming a raison d'etre that was previously absent, motivating her to fight, and visibly improving her skill. I will admit that this is cliched in principle, but it is presented as a undertone more so than it is explicitly spoken, which renders the progression of this relationship into one of the most nuanced aspects of the show. Shakugan no Shana also benefits from a solid side cast whose personality archetypes, while present, don't overshadow their ability to constructively participate in the story. Most of the peripheral classmate characters, none of whom I really disliked, do eventually become involved in the central plot, with mixed results in regards to the smoothness of this process. I did appreciate the manner in which a pair of apparent class clowns stumble upon a rival Flame Haze of Shana's, the voluptuous and ever-intoxicated Margery, and in humorous fashion became her "henchmen" (a role that more or less involves paying for her booze) before eventually becoming invaluable, but Yuji's polite and soft-spoken classmate Yukari, who does little beside hope for his affections during the first half, is brought in when another Flame Haze appears and explains the world to her after deciding that she is the best for "grounding him in this city" (whatever that actually means). Nonetheless, I liked the supporting cast on the whole, which, given the lack of narrative depth and weakness of the comedy, did help me get through some of the series' duller episodes. The character design is not especially interesting, with the quality of the art being hit-or-miss, but when the show does depict a battle the animation budget inflates dramatically, and those scenes are quite well-done, the sum of these parts making for a good if not great presentation on the whole. I liked but didn't love the musical score, a low-budget production consisting of piano pieces and synthesized orchestral themes, but I did have a soft spot for the first pair of theme songs, with the intense and passionate ED cleverly segueing out of each episode's climactic events (the second pair of theme songs is fine, but there was no reason to make the change). In short, I liked Shakugan no Shana a lot more than I expected to, and while it suffers from a general lack of substance and uneven pacing there's a very good chance that I will watch the ensuing seasons. The conclusion of this season is clearly intended as a bridge to the next portion of the story rather than a definite ending of any sort, and this series is designed for those who will stick with it; I'm personally optimistic that the rest of the show, no longer needing to muddle itself with dry exposition and having already established its conflict, will improve. If you're not interested in fighting-based anime then this won't change your opinion, but I would recommend it to everyone else as a good diversion. A strong three stars, and I'm optimistic that the other seasons might improve on its performance. Add a star if you're a huge fan of action anime or if you aren't as picky about fantasy series as I am; knock one off if you've had your fill of shounen fighting-based anime or will flip if you see another character who even resembles a tsundere. — Nicoletta Christina Browne Recommended Audience: Fine for teenagers but probably not for kids. There is violence throughout, although hardly any of it is at all graphic. There is also a fair amount of fan service (mostly directed at a male audience), especially in the OAV episode. Version(s) Viewed: Digital source. Review Status: Full (25/25) Shakugan no Shana © 2005 WataruShichiro Takahashi / Noizi Ito / ASCII Media Works / Shana Production Committee |
© 1996-2015 THEM Anime Reviews. All rights reserved. |


text:
[Blark] picked up a couple of Commodore 64 machines on Craig's List so that he could play around with the SID chips inside. But there's some other fun stuff in there and his attention was drawn to the PROM which stores the kernel. He thought it would be a fun adventure to build a ROM dumper capable of storing binary images.
In the video after the break you can see that when powered up the dumper immediately starts streaming hex values to the terminal. The system is set up to feed a Python script which packs the data stream into an image file. The reading is done by a PIC 18F4520, streaming the data in at 9600 baud with a generous delay between each address read to get the cleanest read possible. He had a bit of help from the AVR Freaks to get to this point.
We'd guess he's going to pull the image off the chip several times and compare results to filter out any possible data corruption. From there we're not sure what he'll do with the files but there's always the possibility of making is own emulator using this kernel image.